An accident on the R61 near Mthatha left three men dead on Monday.

Arrive Alive spokesperson Tshepo Machaea said the accident took place before 8am on a bridge in the Corana area and involved three vehicles — a bakkie, a minibus and a Toyota Corolla. The bakkie veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the minibus. The Toyota then rear-ended the minibus.

"It was chaotic," said police Captain Zamukulungisa Jozana.

According to Jozana, two of the dead, aged 15 and 17, were seated in the cab of the bakkie and were the sons of the driver. They were killed instantly.

The other two occupants, who were in the back, were thrown into the river by the impact. Divers pulled one of them from the water soon afterwards.

He was taken to a local hospital. The body of the other, aged about 17, was found around 1pm by divers.

According to Machaea, those in the bakkie were all family and friends on an outing. The driver of the bakkie had earlier been suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, but a blood test disproved this.

Machaea said after interviewing the driver's family it was believed that his veering into oncoming traffic was related to diabetes.

Machaea said that a total of six people were sent to Mandela Hospital for treatment. Five of them were in a severe condition.